November 11

His heart is purified; and the heart is purified by faith. He is sanctified, and we are sanctified by faith that is in him.

It follows from the admission of this truth, that the reason why he is not more precious, is because of our remaining unbelief. Wherefore let us "pray always that our God would count us worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of faith with power: that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in us, and we in him."

NOVEMBER 11.—"He is precious."—1 Peter 2:7.

WE have seen to whom he is precious. "To them that believe." Let us now ask what proofs do they give of this preciousness? And in what seasons do they peculiarly realize the force of it?

In evidence of this preciousness see how he fills their minds. To the miser his money is precious, and therefore his mind dwells upon it: the child is precious to the mother, and therefore she cannot forget it—So the believer thinks of Jesus, and his thoughts of him are frequent and pleasant. "My meditation of him shall be sweet. How precious are thy thoughts unto me, O God, how great is the sum of them—when I awake I am still with thee." See how he employs his tongue. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. The impressions made upon our feelings by an object pre-eminently dear and interesting, can hardly be restrained. When the Pharisees desired our Lord to silence the multitude who were acclaiming him in the temple; he answered, "If these should hold their peace the stones would cry out." And when Peter and John were ordered by the council to speak no more in the name of Jesus; they replied, "We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." David therefore says, "My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof." And he could equally reckon upon the disposition of others: "Thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom." See also what sacrifices they are willing to make for him. For him, says Paul, I have suffered the loss of all things. The noble army of martyrs followed him to prison and to death. There is the same spirit in believers now, and they evince it as far as opportunity allows. They go forth to him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For his sake they endure the sneers of neighbours, the frowns of friends, the menaces of superiors. For his sake they give up the world; and all their sins, though dear as a right eye, or profitable as a right hand; yea, and forsake all that they have, as far as it comes in competition with him. Their regard appears too in their valuing every thing in relation to him. They are never so pleased with the works of nature as when they are emblems of his beauty and glory. They are never so delighted with ordinances as when they are mediums of communion with him. The Bible is most precious, as it is the word of Christ, and testifies of him. Heaven is most attractive as a place in which they shall be with him to behold his glory. No cause interests them

like his. Their very souls are identified with it. They are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, and the reproach of it is their burden: while no news equals the success of his affairs, and the increase of his empire. In a word, he is so dear and essential to them, that nothing can be a substitute for him on earth or in heaven; while he can be a substitute for any thing—for every thing: "Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vine; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."

Thus he is always undeniably precious to them that believe: yet there are seasons in which they peculiarly feel the force of it. Such is the day of effectual calling. If ever food is relished it is when we are hungry. If ever we prize the physician, it is when we are sick, and long for health and cure. Our Lord promised to send the Holy Spirit, to convince us of sin, and to glorify himself: and the former is necessary to the latter. When we see our true character and condition as sinners, then the proud looks are humbled, and the lofty looks are laid low, and the Lord alone is exalted.

Such is the Sabbath. It is named in honour of him "the Lord's day." It is to bring him to our remembrance as rising from the dead, and entering into his rest after finishing the work that was given him to do. His people hold some communion with him through the week: but week days are always in a degree worldly days. They have some glimpses of him, and some words from him, in pressing through their ordinary concerns. But they want larger and more intimate intercourse with their best friend. And when the Sabbath comes they take him to their retirement, and he manifests himself to them. And they go to his own house, where they see his power and glory in the sanctuary, and praise him with joyful lips.

Such is the period of holy fellowship at his table. In reference to this, where is the believer who has not been able to say, I sat under his shadow with delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste? In no other duty have we such views of him as here. We see him in the very act of dying for us. He is evidently set forth crucified among us. As a risen Saviour he comes and shows us his hands and his feet, and assures us that because he lives we shall live also.

Such is the day of trouble. A friend is born for adversity, and endeared by the time of need; but many who wear the name are then found to withdraw themselves. But he comes near—and must come near if his word can be trusted—"I will be with thee in trouble." He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and in all our affliction he is afflicted. Human friendship, when sincere and lively, is limited. But nothing is too hard for the Lord. He can comfort us in all our tribulation; and turn the shadow of death into the morning.

Such is a dying day. The day of trouble may come, the day of death will come; and if it does not bring Christ with it!—But if he is with us when heart and flesh fail; if we can by faith view Jesus as having put away our sin by the sacrifice of himself, as going to prepare a place for us, and as coming again to receive us to himself, that where he is there we may be also; this will turn

VOL. II.